On Sunday morning, the Long Beach Pride parade drew a lively crowd along Ocean Boulevard. Spectators donned rainbow attire and cheered enthusiastically while the parade passed by. Mayor Rex Richardson, proudly wearing a rainbow lei, joined gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra amidst the upbeat tunes of Bad Bunny.
“Long Beach Pride is here!” Richardson exclaimed into the microphone, thanking everyone for keeping the tradition alive for 43 years. Yet, this year’s celebration carried a different sentiment. Just hours before it was set to start, the Long Beach Pride Festival was abruptly canceled.
The city attributed this cancellation to safety and permitting issues. Meanwhile, Long Beach Pride’s organizers claimed they had acted in good faith to resolve these concerns. This disruption resonates deeply amid ongoing national debates over LGBTQ rights.
Debra “Deb” Kahookele, a City Council candidate, expressed frustration at the cancellation, stating, “The community has been attacked in many ways. The festival needed to happen now more than ever.” She added, “I feel like Long Beach let the people down.”
The Long Beach Pride event first took place in 1984, during the height of the AIDS crisis. It has served as a beacon of hope and community solidarity ever since. This year’s festival was set to feature live music, art, and food at Marina Green Park. However, festival organizers found out the event couldn’t go on, despite repeated attempts to work with the city.
According to city officials, they couldn’t issue the necessary permit due to the lack of needed information from the event organizers. “We prioritized the safety of attendees and the community,” the city stated.
The abrupt cancellation left many attendees feeling disheartened. Joey Velez and his partner, Nathan Sliwa, drove from Oakland for the event. Velez, who was disappointed by the news, remarked, “In this political climate, we shouldn’t be canceling Pride. It’s crucial to keep this celebration alive.” Sliwa echoed this sentiment, believing the cancellation sent a negative message about how the city values Pride.
Tonya Martin, president of Long Beach Pride, shared her disappointment, stating, “At a time when our community is vulnerable, Long Beach should do more to uplift us, not take away our means of expression.”
Despite the setback, organizers held a free event at Bixby Park titled “Canceled? Never Heard of Her!” Here, attendees made the most of their day, dancing and celebrating, showcasing the resilience of the community. Signs of discontent emerged, with some participants wearing shirts that read, “No one can cancel pride; it comes from inside.”
Jess Shaw, who has attended the festival for years, saw it as a vital part of the LGBTQ+ history and culture. “This has always felt like the best celebration we have,” they said, sharing that the beginnings of the Pride movement stemmed from fighting for rights during turbulent times. This echoes a sentiment shared by many; public visibility and acceptance remain essential for community health.
As the crowd danced to songs like Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” the vibrancy of Pride persevered, showcasing the strength and unity of the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of the challenges they faced. Events like this remind attendees that the spirit of Pride—solidarity, love, and acceptance—endures beyond any cancellation.
